I seem to remember we did have some query about this recently, here is the official notification just in from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs direct. Many thanks to them.
Advice for South East travellers
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Travellers from the South East bringing tobacco and cigarettes into the UK from the EU are reminded that Minimum Indicative Levels (MILs) are changing on 1 October 2011. On that date, the MILs will be reduced to 800 cigarettes and 1 kg of hand-rolling tobacco, aligning the UK with levels elsewhere in Europe.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) spokesperson Bob Gaiger said:
"Law-abiding individuals who genuinely import goods for their own use will not be affected. This change will only affect individuals who are abusing the current limits to avoid paying excise duty on tobacco products which are subsequently resold."
Travellers can pick up the UK Border Agency leaflet "Travelling to the UK (Notice 1)" detailing the change at UK ports and airports from 1 October.
Further details of Traveller's Allowances can be viewed on the HMRC and UKBA websites.
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EXTRA NOTE: Latest available estimates for 2008/09 show revenue losses from illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were approximately £2.2bn.
also
The UK minimum indicative levels are currently set at 3,200 cigarettes and 3kg of hand-rolling tobacco (HRT). Most EU Member States have minimum indicative levels set at 800 cigarettes and 1kg of hand-rolling tobacco.